Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About The Tongue?

Here are 15 Bible verses about the tongue, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

  1. #1Proverbs 18:21

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

    BSBLife and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

  2. #2James 1:26

    If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

    BSBIf anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

  3. #3Proverbs 12:18

    There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

    BSBSpeaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

  4. #41 Peter 3:10

    For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

    BSBFor, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

  5. #5James 3:8

    But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

    BSBbut no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

  6. #6Ephesians 4:29

    Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

    BSBLet no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

  7. #7Proverbs 15:4

    A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

    BSBA soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

  8. #8Proverbs 21:23

    Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

    BSBHe who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

  9. #9Proverbs 10:19

    In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

    BSBWhen words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

  10. #10James 3:6

    And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

    BSBThe tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

  11. #11Psalms 141:3

    Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

    BSBSet a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

  12. #12James 3:1-18

    My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. …

    BSBNot many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. …

  13. #13Proverbs 15:1

    A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

    BSBA gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

  14. #14James 3:5

    Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

    BSBIn the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

  15. #15Proverbs 13:3

    He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

    BSBHe who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

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